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Master of Malt has been doing really cool things during the last week.
Two of them has been really cool, first they have at last released the Blogger’s blended whisky.
St. Isidore, the bloggers blended scotch whisky
Master of Malt is proud to finally announce the release of the blended whisky, St Isidore, created entirely by whisky bloggers. To make this blend, the spirits retailer called upon the great and the good of the whisky industry including names such as Whisky Magazine, Edinburgh Whisky Blog, CaskStrength.net and Whisky Cast.
Master of Malt started by sending blending kits to 10 prominent whisky bloggers, and asked them to create the best blended whisky they could using the ingredients provided, whilst maximising its value for money. The bloggers’ recipes were made up and sold in sample sets, and Master of Malt asked the public to vote for which recipe should be made into the brand’s next whisky.
The votes were counted (using the AV system) and a rather smoky, Islay-inspired blend was chosen as the winner, before the bloggers agreed on a name for the blend, calling it St Isidore after the patron saint of the internet. For the final stage, Master of Malt called on graphic designers to submit label designs for the bottle, which summed up St Isidore, the blend, and the whisky blogging community, making them as creative as possible.
Master of Malt 55 years old Whisky Liqueur
The second event of the last week is the release by Master of Malt of the world oldest scotch whisky liqueur, made with a stunning sherry matured 55 years old Speyside Scotch Whisky!. This rare, limited edition liqueur was created with single malt drinkers in mind, and rather than masking the core whisky with sweetness, just a little natural sugar and spices were added to accentuate the rich, sherried flavours and malt notes.
The whisky was sourced from one of Scotland’s most legendary distilleries, and it was aged for 55 years in sherry casks, resulting in a rich palate redolent of calves leather, sultanas and mahogany. It was then bottled non-chill-filtered, and not diluted in any way save for the addition of natural sugar and spices.
You can have a look here… just don’t ask about the price :D Designed by Tim Sainburg from Brambling Design
“With less sherry than the standard 16 years old expression, this Lagavulin 12 years old has an most interesting spices finish.”
92
This 12 year old natural cask-strengthLagavulin comes from a whitewashed jumble of buildings by the sea on Islay's rocky southern shore, just a mile away from Laphroaig
It's pungent smoky and maritime aromas and taste are best appreciated with two parts still water to one part whisky. Any cloudiness is normal in an unfiltered cask strength malt.
If you want to know how Lagavulin tastes without any sherry, this is your answer. Simple pure peat muscle. I love it!
This dram has a fino-like color.
Nose (92): strong.
honey, peat, earth, wood, citrus.
The excitement and vibrancy of New Orleans is what attracted bartender Martin Wilkes Heron. In 1874, he decided that the home of Mardi Gras deserved a smoother alternative to the harsh whiskies from Kentucky and Tennessee. By adding a secret blend of fruits and spices, he struck upon the perfect combination - Southern Comfort. Later, in 1900, Southern Comfort picked up a Gold Medal for quality and taste at the Paris World Exposition. Another followed four years later at the St Louis World Fair. Today, New Orleans wouldn't be the same without Southern Comfort. Best enjoyed with lime and lemonade, its distinctive taste is shared by friends on great nights. No wonder Southern Comfort's the drink at the heart of Mardi Gras - the best party in the world.
This dram has a amber-like color.
Nose (60): more than average.
vomit, amoxiciline, sweet, peaches.
Awful smells. Really synthetic.
Palate (70): oily.
sweet, peaches, wood, honey.
God blessed that this doesn't taste like it smells.
Finish (70): short.
sweet, a little peaches.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Southern Comfort with 67 points over 100.
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A massive step up in quality from the standard Hakushu 12 yrs, this 18yo is amazingly well-defined (as we've come to expect from Japanese whisky) with deliciously rounded fruit and cereal flavours, at times surprisingly reminiscent of the finest Irish potstill whisky
This dram has a gold-like color.
Nose (89): strong.
fruity, apples, ginger, citrus, peat, wood.
Palate (91): oily, powerful.
floral, honey, peat, malt, wood, spices, a little candies.
Finish (90): long.
peat, wood, earthy, floral.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Hakushu 18 year with 90 points over 100.
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“I don't like the way it smells but it has a good solid taste althought it doesn't taste of whisky at all.”
80
Drambuie Liqueur is a truly unique premium spirit.It blends a precious essence created for a Prince, with the finest aged malt whiskies.The result is a unique, multi-layered spirit that releases the taste sensations of malt whisky with the flavours and aromas of heather, honey, herbs and spices.
This dram has a gold-like color.
Nose (75): strong.
floral, mint, ginger, liquorice.
“Even after eight great whiskies this Port Ellen stands over them. Peat-astic!”
92
The six release of this awesome Islay single malt whisky, Port Ellen.
Bottled as a 27 year old and at cask strength, this Port Ellen is one of the last whiskies form this rare and defunct Islay distillery. Aged in American Oak and European Oak refill casks filled in 1978. Limited to 4560 bottles.
If you like peated whiskies this is something you must try, despite its price.
This dram has a amber-like color.
Nose (90): more than average.
peat, honey, spices, varnish, citrus, vanilla.
Palate (94): powerful, oily.
peat, honey, spices, vanilla, wood, citrus, espresso.
Fucking awesome even after eight great whiskies.
Finish (92): longer than average.
peat, citrus, honey, espresso.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Port Ellen 6th release 27 year with 92 points over 100.
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“Matured in bourbon casks this whisky is perhaps the best spanish whisky I have tried. Rather good but limited release.”
89
The DYC Single Malt "Coleccion Barricas". It is the first of a set of limited editions whiskies. This first edition has been aged for 10 years in a bourbon cask.
This dram has a gold-like color.
Nose (87): strong.
peaches, honey, vanilla, wood, citrus.
The chaps from Master of Malt, the superb online whisky shop, have come with another great crazy idea!.
“Blend your own whisky.”
Yeah, exactly like that. Sounds crazy?! You will love this.
You can order, for £49.95, this blending kit that include ten diferent styles of whiskies:
Single grain base whisky
Malt base whisky
Speyside sherry matured whisky
Highland single malt
Islay single malt
Lowland single malt
Old Highland single malt sherry finished
Old Speyside single malt
Very old grain whisky
Very old Islay single malt
You will get one sample of 3cl of each of the whiskies plus one extra sample of both the malt base and the single brain base. Additionally you will get two pipette, one of 3ml and another of 1ml, two measuring cylinders of 10ml and 25ml and a conical flask of 100ml.
Obviously you will find also in this pack a Master of Malt tasting glass and a detailed letter introducing you in the arcane art of blending whisky.
Now you can be the Nose yourself! “Hi! How are you!? Ummm, honey!”
The really cool part is that once you are done you can order a case of six bottles of your own blended whisky by introducing the composition of your whisky at Blend Your own whisky page at Master of Malt.
Keep in mind that each whisky has a different price tag, so blend it keeping in mind taste/aromas and the price tag, just like a real master blender.
Once you are done introducing your very secret recipe, you can name your whisky and order a case of it. I think this is the coolest chritsmas present I have ever seen.
I just see two negative points:
1) You have to order a full case of six bottles that can be a big investment.
2) You can’t change the default label nor bottle it at cask strength or a higher alcohol volume than 40%.
Fix the two points chaps and you have here a great tool.
“Intense, with a good amount of salt and peat. Really maritime whisky.”
90
Full-bodied, fruity and complex, with some sherry character, hints of toffee and some polished malt. Deservedly popular. Matured in Sherry butts for extra depth and body.
This dram has a amber-like color.
Nose (91): strong.
peaches, pineapple, spices, salt, wood, citrus.
“This Lagavulin is a superb Islay whisky with its amazing peat complexity. Really one of the best bang for the buck single malts out there.”
92
Full amber in color with adominant sherry nose. Full-bodied yet smooth. The dryness is offset by the sweetness of the sherry character. Salty notes and a huge powerful peaty finish.
Lagavulin 16 years old is perhaps the best daily dram single malt whisky out there. You will not find anything so good for that price, as long as you like peat in your whisky.
A connoisseur's malt, and with consistently high marks from Michael Jackson.
If you have the chance, try the 12 years old expression that has been aged exclusively in bourbon barrels. Simply delicious.
This dram has a cooper-like color.
Nose (91): more than average.
peat, honey, peaches, vanilla, citrus, pepper.
From Diageo's Distillers Edition range of single malts aged in wine casks. Oban distillers editions are finished in Montilla Fino sherry casks - a clean, gentle dry sherry which often has olive notes and almond. This is the 1995 vintage.
This dram has a amber-like color.
Nose (90): strong.
peaches, citrus, spices, honey, wood, nuts.
Palate (89): light, smooth, oily.
honey, citrus, grapes, wood, a little nuts, floral.
Finish (88): long.
floral, citrus, honey, nuts.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Oban 1995 Montilla Fino Finish Distillers Edition with 89 points over 100.
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Bottled from an individual cask from the famous Speyside distillery this is classic Glenlivet. Wonderfully complex, with its characteristic smoky, nutty and spicy flavours and aromas.
This dram has a white wine-like color.
Nose (88): more than average.
malt, floral, spices, honey, some citrus.
A special 10th Anniversary edition of Mackmyra, released to celebrate a successful first 10 years of distilling at the Swedish distillery. This is matured in Swedish oak as well as bourbon casks.
This dram has a fino-like color.
Nose (83): more than average.
floral, citrus, raisins, rubber, cocoa.
“Looks definitively older than the other two expressions of Smokehead and older than 18 years old. A nice old Islay malt for a fair price.”
90
A longer-aged edition of Smokehead, the popular mystery Islay Single Malt bottled by Ian McLeod Distillers. This Extra Black expression is 18 years old.
This dram has a gold-like color.
Nose (90): average.
honey, floral, candies, peat, wood.
“Rather good with a good amount of peat and honey and that floral theme playing along all the way.”
90
Blended from a mixture of Bourbon and sherry casks, the light colour of this malt belies the richness of its character. The nose has a wide range of aromas, from citrus fruits to pears and a hint of peat, while the palate shows touches of smoke, vanilla essence, nutmeg, cinnamon and the salty tang characteristic of the distillery.
“A five stars Glenmorangie with peaches, honey and a bit of smoke notes.”
91
Very, very unusual for Glenmorangie (though not for current whisky trends), they've gone and peated it. This was distilled from Lightly peated barley, to an original recipe dating back to 1903. This was aged in American oak and Oloroso sherry casks. The result is a whisky with sweet vanilla and lime notes, hints of sherry and an interesting whiff of peat smoke.
This dram has a cooper-like color.
Nose (91): strong.
peaches, grapes, citrus, honey, vanilla, malt.
The Spirit of Lewis is a traditional Outer Hebridean Dram a relativley young spirit (new spirit) matured for a short period of time in a sherry cask. It is then reduced to 40% ABV the strength it was originally partaken off.
This dram has a gold-like color.
Nose (69): powerful.
rubber, floral, citrus, honey.
Not totally unpleasant but definitively not good.
Palate (65): light, oily.
citrus, floral, honey.
Finish (63): average.
floral, sweet.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Abhainn Dearg The Spirit of Lewis with 66 points over 100.
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This was distilled at the Glen Garioch distillery in November 1991 before a 15 year sting in refill hogshead number 3061 before bottling in November 2006. A release of 241 bottles from the Old Malt Cask range.
This dram has a white wine-like color.
Nose (87): strong.
floral, citrus, honey, apples, wood, cinnamon.
For the second time in 3 years The Whisky Exchange have won the International Spirits Competition award for Best Independent Retailer, as voted for by the drinks industry.
So to celebrate the joy with all of us they are doing a really interesting offer: -25% off from Laphroaig 18 years old and -25% off Clynelish 14 years. This great offer will last only one week so hurry up.
“A nice step over the basic 12 years old Glenlivet and a great nose but the palate is a bit flat, maybe it it were more complex...”
88
A cut above the standard-issue 12yo, Glenlivet 15yo is finished, as the name suggests, in Limousin French Oak (the same kind that is used for many cognacs).
This dram has a amber-like color.
Nose (90): average.
honey, vanilla, malt, peaches, apples, toffeem spices.
Despite winning awards at each International Wine and Spirits Competition since 2007 this has been a remarkably difficult bottle to get our hands on but judging by the scores it has been worth the wait.
This dram has a gold-like color.
Nose (86): strong.
menthol, floral, citrus, malt, honey, wood.
Palate (87): light, smooth.
menthol, citrus, malt, honey, spices, a little smoke.
Finish (88): long.
menthol, honey, citrus.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Matisse Single Malt 15 year with 87 points over 100.
“Quite good nose. This whisky is promising. Keeping an eye on this distillery.”
91
The second release in the Kilkerran Work in Progress series. Bottles will be released at regular intervals until the whisky finally reaches full maturity. It's a great way of watching the whisky develop. This June 2010 edition is part of a release of 15,000 bottles.
This dram has a gold-like color.
Nose (93): powerful.
malt, biscuits, honey, peat, floral, citrus.
Another month gone. This one has been special for me because my family is now one member bigger and to celebrate it I have placed orders on quite interesting whiskies.
So I was after several special bottles that I was waiting to order after my son was born. I really wanted to put my hands on Amrut Herald, distilled in India and matured for an extra 18 months in Germany. To keep the collection I bought the new Bruichladdich 10 years old (I love this distillery!) and the latest Port Charlotte PC9. Also I added to the basket the latest Glendronach 21 years old Parliament (Look that color!), a bottle of Big Peat Xmas edition at cask strength and a bottle of Arran Sleeping Warrior.
I almost forgot, I also ordered a bottle of Pig nose, a delicious 5 years old scotch whisky that has a great price tag.
And… I ordered all the drams from Master of Malt that I was missing. Now I have stuff to write until we end this global crisis.
The Glenrothes distillery is known for its winter spice and classic Speyside flavour. This 15 year old was bottled by Cadenhead for their new Duthies range of single malts.
This dram has a fino-like color.
Nose (86): strong.
peaches, wood, honey, floral, citrus.
A vintage Glenrothes, bottled by Signatory. This was single cask number 1096, a refill butt. Distilled on the 28th January 1994 and aged for 15 years before bottling on the 9th December 2009. A release of 778 bottles.
This dram has a gold-like color.
Nose (87): strong.
floral, honey, orange zest, spices, peaches, wood.
A single cask from the now closed Glen Mhor distillery. This was distilled on the 1st September 1982, matured for 27 years in hogshead number 1327 before bottling on the 6th April 2010 at cask strength by Signatory. A release of 235 bottles.
This dram has a fino-like color.
Nose (88): more than average.
floral, malt, citrus, honey, earth.
“A sherry monster for a great cause. Buy one and support Movember.”
93
This limited edition Glenfarclas has been bottled in partnership with online retailers, Mo-Bro’s, and poor-quality dresser-uppers Master of Malt in support of Movember. Movember is a men’s health charity which raises awareness and funds for men’s health, specifically prostate and testicular cancer. £10 from the sale of every bottle will be donated to Movember. For more information on Movember visit www.movember.com.
Distilled in September 2002 and bottled in September 2011, this most unusual 9 year old Glenfarclas has been taken from two Oloroso sherry hogshead casks, and can be perfectly described as an ‘aperitif whisky’ - nutty and intensely savoury.
Movember is a men’s health charity which raises awareness and funds for men’s health, specifically prostate and testicular cancer. £10 from the sale of every bottle will be donated to Movember. For more information on Movember visit www.movember.com.
Distilled in September 2002 and bottled in September 2011, this most unusual 9 year old Glenfarclas has been taken from two Oloroso sherry hogshead casks, and can be perfectly described as an ‘aperitif whisky’ – nutty and intensely savoury.
This dram has a mahogany-like color.
Nose (92): strong.
honey, leather, cocoa, nuts, citrus, vanilla, wood.
This is Oloroso sherry! Love it or hate it but it can't be more pure.
Great event, great whiskies, great people. Whatelse?! I love Grant’s 18 years old.
Another great twasting with Steve from The Whisky Wire. This time we have had the pleasure of tasting Grant’s 12 years old, 18 years old, 25 years old and Ale Cask Finished with Ludo Ducrocq, global ambassador for Grant’s whisky.
We followed the usual order from youngest to oldest: Ale Cask, 12, 18 and 25 years old.
Grant’s Cask Editions Ale Cask Finish
“A very crispy Grant's whisky. Delicious taste with a superb nose.”
87
Grant’s Ale Cask is the only Scotch whisky to be finished in barrels that have previously held ale. Finishing is the additional time our whiskies spend in specially selected oak casks after they’ve been matured, which adds further flavour and complexity.
This dram has a amber-like color.
Nose (85): average.
honey, citrus zest, malt, raisins.
Really cool influence from the cask. The malty character of the beer is really there shouting about.
Palate (90): light, powerful.
honey, citrus, frizzante, apples, cocoa.
Delicious taste. Frizzante almost like soda.
Finish (85): average.
citrus, honey, malt.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Grant's Cask Editions Ale Cask Finish with 87 points over 100.
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The rest of whiskies we tried on the tasting were only available at travel retail, which it is a pain because it means I will have to fly just for buying a bottle of Grant’s 18 years old.
Grant’s 12 years old
83
Grant’s 12 Year Old introduces you to another dimension in Scotch whisky. A masterful blend of only the finest single malt and grain whiskies, each matured in oak casks for a minimum of 12 years.
The blend is then finished in first-fill American whiskey casks for a further six months. This imparts an extra flavour layer, resulting in a complex whisky where individual tastes fit together perfectly to create a full-bodied Scotch of exceptional richness.
This dram has a amber-like color.
Nose (80): more than average.
honey, vanilla, citrus, cinnamon, wood, smoke.
Palate (86): light, smooth.
honey, wood, peat, pepper, vanilla, a little peaches.
Finish (83): average.
wood, spices, honey, a little vanilla.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Grant's 12 year with 83 points over 100.
Grant’s 18 years old
“Honey honey, how you thrill me, ah-hah, honey honey”
90
The finest single malt and grain whiskies, matured to perfection for 18 years or longer in oak casks, are then selected by our Master Blender for finishing in port casks. This creates a magnificent, perfectly balanced Scotch whisky with considerable depth of taste.
This dram has a cooper-like color.
Nose (90): more than average.
honey, vanilla, a little citrus, floral, red fruits, wood, peat.
Palate (91): light, smooth.
honey, wood, red fruits, floral, cocoa.
Finish (90): longer than average.
honey, wood, spices.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Grant's 18 year with 90 points over 100.
Grant’s 25 years old
“A great whisky from Grant's that unfortunately it is only available at travel retail.”
90
Grant’s 25 Year Old is a unique blend, containing twenty-five of the world’s most highly-prized and distinctive malt and grain whiskies. This includes the first whisky ever laid down at Grant’s Girvan distillery along with rare whiskies from distilleries no longer in existence
This dram has a cooper-like color.
Nose (88): more than average.
honey, wood, spices, nuts, floral, dried fruits, figs.
Palate (92): light, powerful, oily.
honey, candies, spices, wood, dates, cocoa.
I love the way honey and candies work on this whisky.
Finish (90): longer than average.
wood, spices, honey.
So based on other whiskies I have already tasted I rate this Grant's 25 year with 90 points over 100.
Summary
Lovely whiskies. I really don’t understand why most of them are so hard to find. Lovely 18 and 25 years old. And I am really in love with Ale Cask, it has a point of almost frizzante. Delightful!
“Very expensive this Johnnie Walker Blue Label but at least it is a good whisky. My favourite after Johnnie Walker Green Label”
90
Johnnie Walker Blue Label is their rarest blend.
Blue Label is created from the rarest and most expensive whiskies in the world, this iconoclastic scotch whisky has the authentic character and flavour of a traditional nineteenth century blend, just like those that John Walker and his son Alexander developed for their most valued customers.
At the heart of Blue Label is Royal Lochnagar, a rare malt distilled near Balmoral, the Queen's holiday home. Around 15 other mature and precious whiskies are added to balance Blue Label perfectly - 'a blend that cannot be beat', (Alexander Walker, 1888).
Don't get me wrong. It is a great whisky, but for that price you can buy better single malt whiskies.
This dram has a amber-like color.
Nose (89): more than average.
honey, spices, fruits, cinnamon, vanilla.
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